Let's start a trade rumor
Brewers better than Dodgers? Yankees DP combo. Scheffler’s to lose.
Good morning, all!
There are 11 days left to baseball’s trade deadline and the websites are having a field day, and I’m not event referring to the fringe websites. Even MLB’s website is filled with rumors about this or that deal. So in the interest of fair play, let’s start one here.
To put myself on even footing with the other rumor mongers, let me emphasize I have no inside information. That said, the New York Yankees promoted one of their top prospects, Rafael Flores, from AA to AAA on Saturday. How do I know this? Well the Hartford Yard Goats are hosting the Yankees affiliate, Somerset, this weekend and Flores was not on the roster Saturday night, after playing against the Yard Goats on Friday. In fact, he was in the starting lineup for Scranton-Wilkes Barre, New York’s AAA affiliate Saturday night. Making it even more convenient, SWB was playing at Worcester this weekend, a mere hour and change drive from Hartford. How convenient.
So why should this matter, as far as trade rumors? Well, Flores is a major league talent with a potent bat, who can catch and play first base. Point being, the Yankees have Ben Rice, who can catch and play first base. He is a streaky hitter, who has some pop, but if you ask this untrained eye, Flores is a more consistent hitter with better power.
This is a long way of writing, if you told me Rice would be part of a package deal between the Yankees and Colorado Rockies for third baseman Ryan McMahon - who has homered in each of his first two games since the All-Star break - you would not get an argument from me. The next 11 days for baseball fans should be a lot of fun.
Here are some other stories catching my eye:
Remember all the noise about the Washington Commanders moving back to D.C.? The franchise may win a Super Bowl first. The exclusive window to negotiate a stadium deal between the district and team has ended. Maryland and Virginia are reportedly renewing stadium efforts. Bottom line, don’t believe it when teams and cities start talking about new stadiums, until shovels are in the ground.
Kudos to the Mets for honoring David Wright and retiring his number
I would not be surprised if the Yankees double play combination in two years is George Lombard Jr. at short and Roc Riggio at second. Throw in Flores at first.
Hottest team in baseball? Try the Milwaukee Brewers, who have just won nine straight and beaten the defending World Champion Dodgers twice out of the All-Star break. In fact the Brewers (58-40) have the second best record in the NL, behind their Central Division rivals, the first place Cubs (59-39), owners of baseball’s best record. The Dodgers are 58-41, after dropping the first two games to the Brewers out of the break.
The British Open is now Scottie Scheffler’s to lose. Many have, though, because golf is no different from other sports; you have to go out and play. Nothing is a given. Scheffler takes a four-shot lead into today’s final round.
Enjoy your Sunday and thank you for subscribing.
DAN